Wind Over Tide: Why It Feels Horrible (and What To Do)
Wind against tide = short, steep, wet. Learn how to spot the overlap, slide your timing, and reef early so the headland round feels easy—not epic.
The Salty Sea Blog
Ahoy, fellow sea wanderers! If the smell of salt in the air, the rhythmic slap of waves against the hull, and the endless horizon call to your soul, you’ve found the right place. The Salty Sea Blog is a place for musings on sailing—whether it’s the thrill of a stiff breeze filling the sails, the quiet magic of a sunrise at anchor, or the camaraderie found in harbours worldwide.
From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
Fair winds and following seas! ⛵
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Taking Your Boat to France: A Calm, Practical Guide to Extending Your Cruising Ground
The step-by-step on taking your UK boat to France: documents, how to report to UK Border Force (sPCR), where to clear into France (PPF vs authorised marinas), fuel and waste-water rules, inland extras, and what changes with the EU’s new EES system.
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Reefing Right: When to Reduce Sail (and by How Much)
If you’re thinking about it… it’s time.” Learn the clear triggers to reef, a step-by-step mainsail flow, and smart headsail furling so the boat stays upright, fast and calm.
#SailingUK #Seamanship #ReefEarly #Cruising -
Weather Windows: Interpreting Forecasts for a Safe Day Out
A practical, UK guide to reading the Shipping Forecast, Inshore Waters and apps—then turning mixed data into a clear “go/no-go” weather window you can trust. Includes a quick routine and common pitfalls.
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The New Digital-First RYA Approach: What It Means for Students
Digital-first doesn’t ditch paper—it prioritises the tools skippers actually use. Learn how to set up your plotter/app (safety depth, XTE, AIS), cross-check on paper, and make calmer decisions afloat.
#RYA #SailingUK #Navigation #Chartplotter #AIS -
The Clipper Race Goes Global: Stitching Diversity into UK Sailing’s Fabric
How the 2025–26 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race—starting in Portsmouth—shows sailing’s future: global crews, growing female leadership, modular training, and practical lessons UK clubs can use now.
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Tide Basics for Beginners: Heights, Streams, and Diamond Data
Plot the tide, not your luck. Master heights, streams and timing so your next entrance feels easy.
#Tides #Seamanship #SailingUK #RYA -
Online vs Classroom: Which RYA Theory Format Suits You?
Chart out your learning like you chart a passage. Our guide compares RYA theory online vs classroom—and shows how to lock in two weeknights + one weekend study slot so you actually finish. Kettle on, plotter out.
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Navigation | How Much Water? | IRPCS (Rules & COLREGs) | Knowing where you are! | Passage Planning | Weather
RYA Day Skipper Theory Syllabus — Explained in Plain English
What’s actually in Day Skipper Theory? Charts, tides, COLREGs, weather, APEM—and how it all clicks together. Plain-English walkthrough + ready-to-use downloads.
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Safety | Seamanship | Weather
Fastnet ’79: Safety Lessons We Still Use Today (and the night it all went wrong)
Fastnet ’79 changed sailing. A sudden August storm, five yachts lost, lives cut short—and safety rules rewritten. We’ve pulled the lessons skippers still use today: heavy-weather choices, DSC/MAYDAY drills, horizontal recoveries, and practical prep you can do this week.
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
